jennyjennygenesis
homemaking, homeschooling, and striving for holiness
Home and Schooling and Varmin, and Miracles, and Lots of Books
The reality sets in this time of year, doesn’t it? There is always more on the list than can actually be accomplished in the time we have… the thrill of everything finally starting up with fall, is fading. But there is still all those bits we have to squeeze in, for me, it’s soccer, Atrium (also known as Catechesis of the Good Shepherd), and our homeschool co-op. Those things together with getting good warm food into bellies, spending enough time cultivating relationships with family and friends…. woa, it’s a lot!! But this year we don’t have any mice!!! HA! Thanks to the cats! But guess what we do have? FLEAS! Thanks to the cats….which is worse, mice or fleas? I am unsure.
Plus you have to factor in having enough quality time with your spouse. It’s hard, always being tired, to make that happen, too. This summer was our ten year anniversary, and were able to get away for four whole days! We had a blast traipsing around northern Michigan, taking in the beauty of nature, enjoying the wineries, and eating fantastic food! What a treat! If you have forgotten to remember your sweetheart lately, don’t. Kiss him. Go see “Grace Unplugged.” Whatever you have fun doing together: DO IT!
And reading, and books, and making the effort to get the ACTUAL WORK of homeschooling done. My goodness, it’s sometimes overwhelming, not that I would have it any other way- the three ring circus is part in parcel with the life I lead, and I usually accept it with grace, except when, um….I don’t.
There have recently been so many miracles, it just seems that either God must really love me, or….no, that must be what it is, because I certainly don’t deserve a bit of it. Last week- I am now calling it Miracle Friday – really had me in shock of what Jesus can do! It’s not: WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? – it’s LOOK WHAT JESUS DID!!
![sandamianocrucifix[1]](https://jennyjennygenesis.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/sandamianocrucifix1.jpg)
I know it seems silly to point it out to you all, I am preaching to the choir, but…..he died for us, and we should be ecstatically rejoicing and spreading the Good News all over everywhere. I got an opportunity to do that this last Friday, I saw a Facebook post from a dear friend saying, “I need HELP!!!” and so I jumped into action and did a little helping (which I am sure actually blessed me more than it did her:), while I was on my way to her house, I was confronted by a sweet looking young lady standing by the side of the road with a sign that said in bold sharpie-printed letters, “I need HELP!!!” I’m not even making this up!! My first thought was, ‘why do I need to be the one to help, today!?’ Well, I didn’t come up with anything solid on that one, so my daughter and I searched the car for something to give her…we found a tootsie pop, and an apple. Pretty lame, but we gave it to her, I asked her name, and told her I would be praying for her, I said I was going to try and come up with something better for next time. She was honestly appreciative of what I had to offer. Which was, I guess, surprising. Maybe I try to turn pan-handlers into lazy people to make myself feel better about being unwilling to give….
Then later that evening I thought I heard God telling me to pay for my friends meal, which isn’t a big deal, but then on my way out to the car, there was a twenty dollar bill just sitting there…..
Yes, miracles abound, totally undeserved, total gift. I am feeling like these little happenings are the things that we have to collect, put in our pockets, and then when we are teaching our fourth child how to read, and they don’t LOVE EVERY MINUTE of the process, we can pull this stuff out and savor it. Savor the truth of who Christ is. He is pure love. He has enough love to fill every bloody word in that bleepty-bleep early reader, and then some. So, keep on keepin’ on, my dearest friends. Even if you are sending your children to school, you are still homeschooling. You are trying to create generous, fruitful, somewhat tidy little humans. And boy oh boy, it is a very challenging job.
This week when you want to abandon your post and flee to the quiet room (wherever that may be, or if it even exists) and read a book, alone, with a cup of hot coffee, and no one touching you, squabbling, or generally making life difficult, remember what it says in scripture:
Hebrews 13:5-6
“Keep your lives free from the love of money,
and be content with what you have; for he has said,
“I will never leave you or forsake you.”
So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not be afraid.”
I am holding this in my heart.
jennyjennygenesis 
Fabulous post! Thanks for the reminder that God is still working miracles all the time. Sometimes I think we’re too busy to look. And you have my sympathies on the varmin. I think fleas are worse than mice- and that’s a rusty memory of fleas from a dozen years ago (and I currently have mice!) Will pray for the end of the fleas. Oh and I love your posts 🙂
Thanks Maureen!! I love you and your blog too- it’s really fun to see your house taking shape, it’s way better than one of those remodeling shows!! And just for the record I got the cat from your mom, and I want backsies 😉
just read another blog about the importance of spending time with our spouse…. such a fabulous picture of you and able!!!!! spread the love sister!!!! i think it´s the most obvious to help when people ask for it plainly; but even than it isn´t the norm!! props sis – i find it harder to help, when people cannot phrase their needs….. hug an kiss
Jen I love your blog! You inspire me!
Thanks so much, Bonnie! I miss your wonderful family at Co-op! xoxo